Episodes

  • Lies, Lies, and More Lies

    Lies, Lies, and More Lies
    Oct 21 2024
    How do we fact check in an ocean of lies? In this episode Rick is joined by Bill Adair, the founder of PolitiFact and a professor at Duke University, to discuss the growing epidemic of political lying, especially within the Republican Party. They explore the history of political dishonesty, the role of conservative media in amplifying misinformation, and the challenges of fact-checking in an era dominated by figures like Donald Trump. The conversation highlights the danger that widespread deception poses to democracy and addresses the role of new technologies, like deepfakes, in further distorting truth in political discourse. Bill's book, Beyond the Big Lie: The Epidemic of Political Lying, Why Republicans Do It More, and How It Could Burn Down Our Democracy, available now. Timestamps: (00:01:34) The Big Lie (00:06:21) The red blue divide (00:19:00) The danger to the right Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • Trump is a Fascist

    Trump is a Fascist
    Oct 16 2024
    Today we keep it simple. Trump is actually a fascist, Rick explains why he is an enemy to us all. Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    19 mins
  • White Christian Nationalism and the Perversion of Faith

    White Christian Nationalism and the Perversion of Faith
    Oct 14 2024
    Trump and the much of the far right have perverted traditional Christian values. In this episode Rick is joined by Jim Wallis, theologian and author of The False White Gospel, to discuss the rise of Christian nationalism in the U.S. Wallis explores how this movement has distorted Christianity for political power, particularly under Donald Trump, and the dangers it poses to American democracy. They discuss the history of white Christian nationalism, its contrast with the inclusive teachings of Jesus, and the importance of reclaiming faith from political agendas to refound democracy on true spiritual values. Jim's book, The False White Gospel, available now. Timestamps: (00:01:39) The False White Gospel (00:03:50) The Christian nationalist movement (00:12:20) Faith without politics Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • The Trump Putin Love Affair

    The Trump Putin Love Affair
    Oct 9 2024
    Trump loves dictators. For today's episode, Rick discusses Bob Woodward's new book War, which highlights Donald Trump's admiration for dictators, particularly Vladimir Putin. He argues that Trump's transactional nature and attraction to power make him susceptible to autocratic influences. He warns that if re-elected, Trump would likely cut U.S. support for Ukraine, leading to a Russian victory and weakening NATO. Trump's worldview aligns more with authoritarianism than democracy, posing a serious threat to global stability and American values. Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    26 mins
  • Idiots Politicizing Disaster

    Idiots Politicizing Disaster
    Oct 7 2024
    In a classic Rick rant, he breaks down the politicization of Hurricane Helene, criticizing the usual suspects (Trump, Elon Musk, etc) for spreading misinformation about FEMA's response. He highlights the coordinated, bipartisan efforts of federal and state governments in addressing the disaster and condemns the use of tragedies for political gain. Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • Donald Trump, The Lucky Loser

    Donald Trump, The Lucky Loser
    Oct 2 2024
    It can feel at times like there's nothing we don't know about Trump. However, there are still a few select people who seem to be able to uncover more and more, giving us critical insight into the former President. In this episode, Rick interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner about their new book, Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success. They delve into Trump’s long-standing strategy of creating an illusion of wealth, his reliance on tax loopholes, and how he used his father's empire to prop up his failing ventures. The conversation also touches on Trump's role in the USFL's downfall, his relationship with banks, and the lasting impact of The Apprentice on his public image. Susanne and Russ' book, Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success, available now. Timestamps: (00:01:30) Lucky Loser (00:08:31) Trump's properties (00:13:29) The real Trump (00:21:38) The Trump brand Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 mins
  • Will Big Tech Kill Democracy?

    Will Big Tech Kill Democracy?
    Sep 30 2024
    How can big tech and a healthy democracy coexist? In this episode Rick is joined by Marietje Schaake, author of The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley. Together, they delve into the growing influence of big tech companies on global democracy, the dangers posed by unchecked data collection, and the rise of tools like Pegasus spyware. Schaake highlights the need for greater transparency, regulation, and accountability in the tech sector, while addressing the potential threats to privacy and democratic freedoms. They also discuss the weaponization of data by companies like Palantir and Cambridge Analytica, as well as potential solutions to safeguard democratic systems in the face of advancing technology. Marietje's book, The Tech Coup: How to Save Democracy from Silicon Valley, available now. Timestamps: (00:01:26) The Tech Coup (00:05:37) Government against large corporations (00:09:56) Which country's are doing it right? (00:15:05) Palantir Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • SPECIAL EPISODE (PART 2): The Threat to IVF | Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal

    SPECIAL EPISODE (PART 2): The Threat to IVF | Trump's Project 2025: Up Close and Personal
    Sep 29 2024
    Chapter Two of Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal depicts the personal story of Eve, a nurse struggling with infertility, whose treatment is threatened by the new president's executive order banning certain fertility treatments. The episode explores how the president's policies would impact everyday Americans, particularly women and families, by interfering with reproductive freedom and the right to self-determination. The author of the serialized novel “2025,” upon which this podcast series is based, David Pepper, highlights how the fictional story is directly based on the policies outlined in the Trump’s Project 2025 and the president's own words, underscoring the very real and devastating consequences a second Trump term and the implementation of Project 2025 could have. You can read Chapter Two of David Pepper’s “2025: A Novel” at davidpepper.substack.com/p/2025-a-novel-chapter-2 Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal is produced by David Pepper and available on all the podcast apps and at 2025 pod.com. We'd also like to thank all the artists who volunteered their time to make this episode. J. Smith Cameron read the chapter and audio finishing by Marilys Ernst. This series is produced by David Pepper, Melissa, Jo Peltier and Jay Feldman. Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal is a production of Ovington Avenue Productions and the Bill Press Pod. SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7or5... APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... STITCHER: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-tr... Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    48 mins